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Dimerix’s (ASX:DXB) lead candidate chosen for second COVID-19 study

Health Care
ASX:DXB      MCAP $206.1M
30 November 2020 13:00 (AEST)
Dimerix (ASX:DXB)- Managing Director & CEO, Dr Nina Webster

Source: AusBiz

Biopharma company Dimerix ‘s (DXB) lead candidate, DMX-200, will enter a second clinical study in COVID-19 patients.

Lead investigators have selected DMX-200 to be involved in the controlled evaluation of angiotensin receptor blockers for COVID 19 respiratory disease (CLARITY) study.

DMX-200 therapy is aimed at reducing damage from inflammatory immune cells by blocking their signalling and limiting movement in the lungs damaged by the virus.

Dimerix has signed an agreement with the University of Sydney’s NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, where the company will provide DMX200.

The CLARITY 2.0 phase three study will assess the safety and effectiveness of DMX-200 mixed together with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) on 600 COVID-19 patients in India.

Participants will be treated for up to 28 days and then followed up over 26 weeks.

This is Dimerix’s second international COVID-19 study, providing further opportunity for the evaluation of DMX-200.

Notably, if DMX-200 successfully decreases the severity and duration of COVID-19 symptoms, it could benefit the treatment of other respiratory infections such as influenza.

The study is lead by Professor Meg Jardine who says that people with chronic health conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity are more vulnerable to respiratory implications if they contract COVID-19.

“Early results suggest that DMX-200 may have stronger anti-inflammatory effects when used in combination with these blood pressure medications,” she explained.

“The CLARITY and CLARITY 2.0 studies are designed to answer whether these blood pressure medications, used alone or in combination with DMX-200, may alter the course of COVID-19 disease and provide a better outcome for patients,” she added.

Dimerix CEO and Managing Director Nina Webster says the treat of COVID-19 outbreaks are likely to remain with us for some time.

“Our lead candidate, DMX-200, has demonstrated efficacy across three different studies in patients with active inflammatory disease, and we are very pleased to support a second research study in COVID-19 patients as well as progressing DMX-200 into a phase three clinical study in the rare kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in the first half of 2021,” she said.

“Dimerix recognises and appreciates the support and collaboration of
India within the expanse of research into SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19,” she added.

On the market today, Dimerix is up 6.12 per cent and trading at 26 cents per share at 12:09 pm AEDT.

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